Strachan also stated his desire to make the fans proud as well as reach the finals of either the World Cup or the European Championship.

Scotland have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament since reaching the 1998 World Cup in France.

"To progress with the squad. I really want the squad and the staff to give something back to the country and the fans who support us because the fans are probably more famous than the squad now," Strachan added.

"So what we want to try and do is to give back something and make them turn up for a major finals competition.

"Through my TV work I've been to these competitions and the Irish have kind of stepped up for a while so hopefully the Irish and the Scottish can get together for one major and it'll be one hell of a party."

Asked if he had a message for the fans, Strachan responded: "Keep doing what you're doing because the support is fantastic."

Scotland have picked up just two points in their bid to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, but Strachan rejected the suggestion that a top-two spot is out of his players' reach.

"If we work together as a group and a set of fans I know for a fact we'll be successful," he added.

"I can't ask for anything more than we're doing at the moment.

"We're going to use the games to try and win. My philosophy is to win games of football, like Manchester United.

"We still have to collect as many points as we can and it's disrespectful to say we'll use the games just to improve.

"We'll give it a go.

"What I know is that these guys, for all they might get criticised, are the best at what they do.

"They play for Scotland and we have to find a system that suits these players to win games of football."

Strachan also denied the national coach's role is a poisoned chalice, adding: "I think it's a great job.

"At this time in my life I can deal with this. All my experiences have prepared me for this moment."

The ex-midfielder laughed off suggestions the Scotland job was the best opportunity made available to him since his departure from Middlesbrough.

"I'm not saying that no," he added. "I'm just saying it was a job I wanted to do.

"For a Scotsman, it's a fantastic thing. I played for Scotland then started coaching and thought 'I want to be Scotland manager some day'.

"You don't get easy jobs but the important thing is to make people happy by winning games of football.

"The more successful I am I look around and the more people there are around me.